Bolsonaro Tries to Clarify Ankle Monitor Breach: ‘Hallucinations’

[ad_1] Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro advised a choose on Sunday that his ankle monitor violation early Saturday morning, which led to his arrest, was resulting from “hallucinations."

The previous chief advised assistant choose Luciana Sorrentino that he was not making an attempt to flee his jail sentence however that he had some "paranoia" from remedy main him to research his ankle monitor.

Why It Issues Bolsonaro was arrested on Saturday on an order from the nation’s Supreme Court docket over accusations of plotting to flee forward of his practically three-decade jail sentence, the Federal Police confirmed.

In September, Brazil’s Supreme Court docket convicted Bolsonaro, 70, who led the nation from 2019 to 2022, of making an attempt a coupe to remain in energy after his election loss. He was sentenced to 27 years and has been on home arrest with an ankle monitor since August.

Bolsonaro was convicted on 5 counts, together with making an attempt to violently undermine Brazil’s democratic order and collaborating in an armed legal group, amongst others. The previous president is shut allies with President Donald Trump, who beforehand stated in July that Brazil was enacting a "political execution" in opposition to Bolsonaro that's "horrible," and a "witch hunt."

What To Know Supreme Court docket Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Bolsonaro’s arrest after he claimed Bolsonaro's ankle monitor was violated early Saturday morning, in accordance with the Related Press. Moraes stated he suspected Bolsonaro was making ready to flee within the days earlier than he was resulting from start his jail sentence. The previous president was ordered to put on an ankle monitor because the courtroom beforehand deemed him as a flight threat.

He was escorted from his dwelling to police headquarters in Brasilia about 6 a.m. Saturday, and has been in custody since.

<img id="11096274" alt="" caption="Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro take part in a vigil outside his residence in Brasília, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, after his arrest earlier in the day, carried out days before he was set to start serving his 27-year sentence for leading a coup attempt. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)" captionoverride="Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro take part in a vigil outside his residence in Brasília, Brazil, on November 22 after his arrest earlier in the day, carried out days before he was set to start serving his 27-year sentence for leading a coup attempt. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="5104" height="3400" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25326831615683.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25326831615683.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25326831615683.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25326831615683.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25326831615683.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25326831615683.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25326831615683.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> On Sunday, Sorrentino stated Bolsonaro advised her throughout an internet assembly, “he had ‘hallucinations’ that there was some wire faucet within the ankle monitoring, so he tried to uncover it.” He remarked that he had “a sure paranoia” in regards to the monitor however didn't specify what precisely. The doc stated Bolsonaro was utilizing a soldering iron on the ankle monitor earlier than he “got here to his senses.”

Sorrentino famous that Bolsonaro knowledgeable her that he “didn't keep in mind having a breakdown of this magnitude in one other event,” including that it could have been induced from a drugs change in current days, the AP reported.

Reuters, citing a doc that detailed the dialog, reported that he was taking a brand new combine of medicines prescribed by completely different medical doctors, modified simply 4 days earlier than the episode. An internet copy of a Portuguese order posted by journalist Leandro Demori famous that the medication embody a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and one which treats nerve ache. The Guardian additionally reported Bolsonaro attributed the paranoia to "a robust analgesic and an antidepressant." He additionally was reportedly not sleeping nicely for a number of days.

Bolsonaro maintained that he didn't intend to flee as Moraes believed.

Information of his arrest Saturday drew combined reactions, with opponents celebrating and supporters gathering for vigils and protests.

Former first girl Michelle Bolsonaro met along with her husband on Sunday.

What Folks Are Saying Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated about Bolsonaro on the G20 assembly in South Africa, per the AP: “The courtroom dominated, that’s determined. Everybody is aware of what he did.”

Arthur Lira, Brazilian lawyer and politician, wrote in Portuguese in an X publish: "The preventive detention of former president Jair Bolsonaro isn't justified and reopens the injuries of political polarization that clouds Brazil's future. No nation could be pleased with having its final presidents imprisoned."

President Donald Trump advised reporters on Saturday that Bolsonaro’s arrest is “too dangerous.”

Fabio Wajngarten, Bolsonaro’s former press adviser and lawyer, stated in an X publish Saturday in Portuguese: "The preventive arrest of former President Jair Bolsonaro, decreed this morning, causes profound perplexity, primarily as a result of, because the chronology of the info demonstrates (illustration made on 11/21), it's based mostly on a prayer vigil. The 1988 Structure, accurately, ensures the correct of meeting to all, particularly to make sure non secular freedom. Regardless of claiming the “existence of very severe indications of potential flight,” the very fact is that the previous President was arrested at his dwelling, with an digital ankle monitor and being watched by the police authorities. As well as, Jair Bolsonaro's well being situation is delicate and his arrest might put his life in danger. The protection will file the suitable enchantment."